Bl'ast!/EyehategodSplit

Hail to these seminal, nihilistic bands that formed in the '80s and are still recording today.

Santa Cruz's Bl'ast! continue to play skatepark punk and hardcore better than bands half their age, and New Orleans' Eyehategod have not lost one iota of sludge/blues intensity. Having toured together back in the day, both acts teamed up to release this two-song record that exemplifies their respective sounds. Bl'ast! begin with "Cut Your Teeth," approaching the unbridled power of early Rollins Band, especially in vocalist Clifford Dinsmore's commanding tones; the tune masterfully careens through chords and progressions as if the whole shebang will fall apart at any second.

Beginning with their signature feedback, EHG's "The Liars Psalm" lumbers clubfooted to the fore as Mike Williams unleashes his appropriately ravaged barks. Guitarists Jimmy Bower and Brian Patton weave Sabbath-y doom riffs around drum & bass detonations, while Williams utters his poetically tortured screams throughout the track. This split single meets and exceeds expectations for these aging bands, as their anger and aggression have in no way mellowed over the years.
(Rise)